BAGHDAD, July 12 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari said Tuesday the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq should take place at Iraq's request.
Speaking to the Iraqi National Assembly, or parliament, Jaafari said: "We want the decision of evacuating foreign troops to be an Iraqi decision as well as the timetable and schedule to be fixed by the Iraqi government."
He warned any sudden pullout of the foreign troops "will deal a fatal blow to the political process in Iraq."
"If we are ever taken aback by the withdrawal of the foreign forces, that will entail the collapse of the peace process and the exposure of Iraq to complete destruction," Jaafari warned.
He noted, however, the general official, parliamentary and popular mood in the United States and Europe favor the repatriation of the troops from Iraq.
